The Glass Menagerie

The Glass Menagerie was Tennessee Williams' first successful play, so it's fitting that this new production serves as the prelude to the Tennessee Williams Festival St. Louis. Upstream Theater has assembled a cast of heavy hitters in Linda Kennedy, J. Samuel Davis, Sydney Frasure and Jason Contini; the company will undoubtedly find something new and fresh in the timeless classic. The festival doesn't officially open until May 11, but Upstream Theater starts performing the play at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday (April 29 through May 14), with a 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, May 15. All shows take place at the Kranzberg Arts Center (501 North Grand Boulevard; 314-863-4999 or www.upstreamtheater.org). Tickets are $20 to $30. Don't miss this one — it will surely sell out.